habit

Forms

1.An action performed on a regular basis.
- It’s become a habit of mine to have a cup of coffee after dinner.
2.An action performed repeatedly and automatically, usually without awareness.
- By force of habit, he dressed for work even though it was holiday.
3.An addiction.
- He has a 10-cigar habit.
4.A long piece of clothing worn by monks and nuns.
- It’s interesting how Catholic and Buddhist monks both wear habits.

1.To clothe.
- Here I began my shopping, was interviewed by dressmakers, and naturally had much to do to habit myself for civilized life again.
- Ritson, who was a native of the bishoprick of Durham, tells us that the fairies frequented many parts of it; that they were described as being of the smallest size, and uniformly habited in green.

Uncommon· #2425

From Middle English habit, from Latin habitus (“condition, bearing, state, appearance, dress, attire”), from habeō (“to have, hold, keep”).

Distantly related to gift.

Replaced Middle English abit, from Old French abit, itself from the same Latin source.